JP6834036B2 - Checkout system and payment device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a check-out system及beauty settlement system.

It was decided that the purchase registration and settlement processes in supermarkets, etc. would be performed by different product registration devices and payment devices, and that the employees would operate the product registration devices and the shoppers would operate the payment devices. Semi-self-type checkout systems are known.
In such a system, payment information for payment processing is transferred from the product registration device to a payment device in a vacant state. Therefore, when all of the payment devices are executing the payment process, the payment information cannot be transferred to the payment terminal, and the purchase registration process in the product registration device is also delayed. ..
Under these circumstances, it has been desired that processing for purchase registration and settlement can be performed efficiently.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-158993

An object of the present invention is to provide is to provide a process checkout system及beauty settlement apparatus capable of efficiently for purchase registration and settlement.

The checkout system of the embodiment includes a product registration device including a generation means, a first acquisition means and a control means, and a payment device including a second acquisition means, a payment means, an alarm means, a sensor and a detection means. The generation means generates payment information for payment of the purchased product. The first acquisition means acquires an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased product from the product registration device to the payment device. The control means stores the payment information generated by the generation means in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the first acquisition means. The second acquisition means acquires the identification code. The payment means performs payment processing for payment based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means. The alarm means gives an alarm when payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means. The sensor detects the carrier. The determination means is that when the payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means, the identification code cannot be acquired by the second acquisition means, or by the sensor. When the carrier cannot be detected, it is determined that the carrier has been removed .

The perspective view of the checkout system which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the appearance of the shopping cart used in the checkout system shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the main circuit structure of the checkout system shown in FIG. The flowchart of the control process of the CPU provided in the product registration apparatus in FIG. The flowchart of the control process of the CPU provided in the payment apparatus in FIG.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the checkout system 10 according to the present embodiment.
The checkout system 10 includes at least one product registration device 11 and at least one payment device 12. FIG. 1 shows a checkout system 10 including two product registration devices 11 and four payment devices 12. The number of the checkout system 10 including the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 is arbitrary, and the ratio of the number of the product registration device 11 to the payment device 12 is also arbitrary. The product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are installed in a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket.

The product registration device 11 is operated by an employee 21 who plays a role called a checker. The operator of the payment device 12 is a shopper 22 who purchases a product to be sold at the above-mentioned store. However, some operations of the product registration device 11 may be performed by the shopper 22.
In addition, the payment device 12 may be operated by the employee 21.
The product registration device 11 is attached to the work table 31 in FIG. The work table 31 has a rectangular top plate. A plurality of work tables 31 are arranged so that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a passage for the shopper 22.
The product registration device 11 includes purchase registration, payment information generation, payment processing, and notification of payment information to the payment device 12. The purchase registration is a process of registering a product brought by a shopper who has entered the aisle as a purchase product. The settlement process is a process for settlement of purchased products. Payment information is information required for payment processing.

The upper surface of the work table 31 is divided into two regions 31a and 31b with the product registration device 11 interposed therebetween. The area 31a located on the upstream side in the moving direction of the shopper 22 is used as a space for placing the products that the shopper intends to purchase but have not been registered for purchase. In addition, the area 31b located on the downstream side is used as a space for placing products for which purchase registration has been completed. When the purchase registration is performed, the shopping cart 41 is placed in the area 31b by the employee 21. The shopping cart 41 is an example of a transport device for transporting a product for which purchase registration has been completed to the payment device 12. Then, the product for which purchase registration has been completed is put into the shopping cart 41 by the employee 21. The shopping cart 41 may be common to or distinguished from the shopping cart 42 for the shopper to carry the product to be purchased from the sales floor to the checkout corner.
The payment device 12 performs payment processing based on the payment information generated by the product registration device 11. When performing the payment process, the shopping cart 41 containing the purchased product to be settled is placed on the table 121.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the shopping cart 41.
As shown in FIG. 2, the shopping cart 41 has a bar code 41a formed on the side surface thereof.
The barcode 41a represents a basket code for identifying each of the shopping carts 41. The barcode 41a may also be formed at another location such as the side surface or the bottom surface on the opposite side of the shopping cart 41. However, the plurality of barcodes 41a formed in the same shopping cart all indicate the same basket code.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the checkout system 10.
The checkout system 10 includes a POS server 13 in addition to the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12. The POS server 13 is a so-called store server provided in the store, or a so-called headquarters server provided in the headquarters that manages a plurality of stores including the store. The POS server 13 aggregates sales data. The POS server 13 also manages the data used by the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12. That is, the POS server 13 has the same functions as the existing POS server. The POS server 13 further mediates the transfer of payment information from the product registration device 11 to the payment device 12.

The product registration device 11, the payment device 12, and the POS server 13 are all connected to a LAN (local area network) 14. Another communication network such as the Internet can be used instead of the LAN 14. Thus, the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 can communicate with the POS server 13 via the LAN 14.

The product registration device 11 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11a, a ROM (read-only memory) 11b, a RAM (random-access memory) 11c, an auxiliary storage unit 11d, a drawer opening unit 11e, a product scanner 11f, and a touch panel 11g. It includes a printer 11h, a scanner for a basket 11i, a communication unit 11j, and a transmission system 11k.
The CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, and auxiliary storage unit 11d are connected by a transmission system 11k to form a computer.

The CPU 11a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 11a controls each unit in order to realize various operations as the product registration device 11 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 11b and the RAM 11c.
The ROM 11b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 11b stores the above operating system. The ROM 11b may store the above middleware and application programs. Further, the ROM 11b may store data to be referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes.

The RAM 11c corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. The RAM 11c stores data that the CPU 11a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 11c is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU 11a for performing various processes.
The auxiliary storage unit 11d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 11d stores data used by the CPU 11a to perform various processes or data generated by the processes in the CPU 11a. As the auxiliary storage unit 11d, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or the like can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d includes a control program described for the control process described later. The transfer of the product registration device 11 is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. However, the product registration device 11 may be transferred in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d, and may be recorded on a removable recording medium or the control program may be transferred via a network. In this case, for example, the control program is written in the auxiliary storage unit 11d of the product registration device 11 in response to an operation by the user. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens the drawer for accommodating money.
The product scanner 11f reads the product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the commercial scanner 11f, various well-known types can be used as they are. The commercial scanner 11f may be compatible with only one of the various well-known types, or may be compatible with a plurality of types. That is, the commercial scanner 11f may include a fixed or handy two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the product scanner 11f may include a type that identifies a product from an image of the product by using an image recognition technique.

The touch panel 11g includes a display device and a touch sensor, respectively. The display device has an arbitrary screen such as a GUI (graphical user interface) screen. As the display device, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU 11a. A well-known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 11h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a receipt by printing various character strings, images, and the like on the receipt paper.
The basket scanner 11i is arranged on the work table 31 toward the area 31b as shown in FIG. The basket scanner 11i reads the basket code from the barcode formed on the shopping cart 41 placed in the area 31b. The basket scanner 11i is an example of the first acquisition means.

The communication unit 11j communicates via the LAN 14.
The transmission system 11k transmits data transferred between the CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, auxiliary storage unit 11d, drawer opening unit 11e, commercial scanner 11f, touch panel 11g, printer 11h, and communication unit 11j. As the transmission system 11k, a well-known one including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses and each part can be used.
As the hardware of the product registration device 11, for example, an existing POS terminal can be used.

The payment device 12 includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, an auxiliary storage unit 12d, an automatic change machine 12e, a commercial scanner 12f, a touch panel 12g, a printer 12h, a basket scanner 12i, a communication unit 12j, and a transmission system 12k.
The CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, and auxiliary storage unit 12d are connected by a transmission system 12k to form a computer.

The CPU 12a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 12a controls each unit in order to realize various operations as the payment device 12 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 12b and the RAM 12c.
The ROM 12b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 12b stores the above operating system. The ROM 12b may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 12b may also store data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 12c corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. The RAM 12c stores data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 12c is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU 12a for performing various processes.
The auxiliary storage unit 12d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 12d stores data used by the CPU 12a to perform various processes or data generated by the processes in the CPU 12a. As the auxiliary storage unit 12d, for example, EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d includes a control program described for the control process described later. The transfer of the payment device 12 is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. However, the settlement device 12 may be transferred in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d, and may be recorded on a removable recording medium or the control program may be transferred via a network. In this case, for example, the control program is written in the auxiliary storage unit 12d of the payment device 12 in response to an operation by the user. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The automatic change machine 12e collects the inserted coins and banknotes. Further, the automatic change machine 12e discharges coins and banknotes as change.
The product scanner 12f reads the product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the commercial scanner 12f, various well-known types can be used as they are. The commercial scanner 12f may be compatible with only one of the various well-known types, or may be compatible with a plurality of types. That is, the commercial scanner 12f may include a fixed or handy two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the product scanner 12f may include a type that identifies a product from an image of the product by using an image recognition technique.

The touch panel 12g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device makes the screen an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen. As the display device, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU 12a. A well-known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 12h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a receipt by printing various character strings, images, and the like on the receipt paper. Note that the receipt paper refers to a sheet-shaped printing medium, and the material thereof is not limited to paper.
The basket scanner 12i reads the barcode 41a formed on the shopping cart 41 placed on the table 121 through the window 122 provided as shown in FIG. The basket scanner 12i is an example of the second acquisition means.

The communication unit 12j communicates via the LAN 14.
The transmission system 12k transmits data exchanged between the CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, auxiliary storage unit 12d, automatic change machine 12e, commercial scanner 12f, touch panel 12g, printer 12h, and communication unit 12j. As the transmission system 12k, a well-known one including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses and each part can be used.
As the hardware of the payment device 12, for example, an existing self-POS terminal can be used.

The POS server 13 includes a CPU 13a, a ROM 13b, a RAM 13c, an auxiliary storage unit 13d, a communication unit 13e, and a transmission system 13f.
The CPU 13a, ROM 13b, RAM 13c, and auxiliary storage unit 13d are connected by a transmission system 13f to form a computer.

The CPU 13a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 13a controls each unit to realize various operations as the POS server 13 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 13b and the RAM 13c.
The ROM 13b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 13b stores the above operating system. The ROM 13b may store the above middleware and application programs. Further, the ROM 13b may store data to be referred to when the CPU 13a performs various processes.

The RAM 13c corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 13c stores data that the CPU 13a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 13c is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU 13a for performing various processes.
The auxiliary storage unit 13d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 13d stores data used by the CPU 13a to perform various processes or data generated by the processes in the CPU 13a. The auxiliary storage unit 13d stores the waiting list L1 described later. As the auxiliary storage unit 13d, for example, EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM 13b or the auxiliary storage unit 13d includes a control program described with respect to the control process for realizing the function as the POS server. The transfer of the POS server 13 is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 13b or the auxiliary storage unit 13d. However, the POS server 13 may be transferred in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 13b or the auxiliary storage unit 13d, and may be recorded on a removable recording medium or the control program may be transferred via the network. In this case, for example, the control program is written to the auxiliary storage unit 13d of the POS server 13 in response to an operation by the user. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The communication unit 13e communicates via the LAN 14.
The transmission system 13f transmits data exchanged between the CPU 13a, the ROM 13b, the RAM 13c, the auxiliary storage unit 13d, and the communication unit 13e. As the transmission system 13f, a well-known one including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses and each part can be used.
As the hardware of the POS server 13, for example, an existing general-purpose server device can be used.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 10 configured as described above will be described.
The content of the process described below is an example, and various processes capable of obtaining similar results can be appropriately used.
When the product registration device 11 is started in a mode for registering the purchased product, the CPU 11a starts the control process according to the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control process of the CPU 11a.

In Act1, the CPU 11a initializes. Specifically, the CPU 11a clears the registered product table and the basket code list set in the RAM 11c. The registered product table is a data table for describing information about products for which purchase registration has been completed. The basket code list is a list of basket codes acquired during the registration of purchased products for one transaction.
In Act2, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired. Then, if the CPU 11a determines No because the product code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a repeats Act2. Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be acquired in Act2.

The CPU 11a acquires the product code based on the operation by the employee 21 by a well-known process different from the control process shown in FIG. Then, when the CPU 11a acquires the product code, it determines Yes in Act2 and proceeds to Act3.
In Act3, the CPU 11a updates the registered product table so as to include the acquired product code.

By the way, when registering the purchase of the product, the employee 21 places the shopping cart 41 in the area 31b of the work table 31 in a posture in which the barcode 41a formed therein can be read by the scanner 11i for the basket. Make it a rule for work.
In Act4, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the basket code is newly acquired.
Then, the CPU 11a determines No when it cannot be confirmed that the basket code has been newly acquired by the determination described later, and proceeds to Act5.
In Act5, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not a closing operation for declaring that the purchase registration for one transaction is closed has been performed. Then, if the CPU 11a determines No because the tightening operation has not been performed, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act6.
In Act6, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the product code has been newly acquired.
Then, if it is determined as No because the product code has not been newly acquired, the process returns to Act4.
Thus, in Act4 to Act6, the CPU 11a waits for the basket code to be newly acquired, the tightening operation to be performed, or the product code to be newly acquired.

Now, in Act4, the CPU 11a instructs the basket scanner 11i to read.
The basket scanner 11i attempts to read the barcode according to the instruction from the CPU 11a. Then, if the basket scanner 11i can read the barcode, it writes the barcode information represented by the barcode into the RAM 11c. Then, when the barcode information is written to the RAM 11c by the basket scanner 11i, the CPU 11a says Yes when the barcode information is not included in the basket code list and the barcode information indicates the basket code. Judgment is made, and the process proceeds to Act7.
In Act7, the CPU 11a adds the basket code indicated by the newly acquired barcode information to the basket code list. After that, the CPU 11a returns to the standby state of Act4 to Act6.

If the CPU 11a newly acquires the product code while in the standby state of Act4 to Act6, it determines Yes in Act6 and returns to Act3. That is, the CPU 11a updates the registered product table so as to include the newly acquired product code, and then returns to the standby state of Act4 to Act6.
Thus, if the employee 21 repeats the operation for causing the CPU 11a to acquire the product code, the product code is added to the registered product table. The employee 21 puts the product for which the purchase registration has been completed in this way into the shopping cart 41. The employee 21 can also replace the shopping cart 41 while registering the purchase for one transaction. Then, in this case, a new basket code is acquired by the basket scanner 11i, and the CPU 11a adds the basket code of the new shopping cart 41 to the basket code list accordingly.

After completing the purchase registration for all the products to be traded, the employee 21 performs a predetermined closing operation such as touching the accounting button on the touch panel 11g.
The CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 5 in response to this tightening operation, and proceeds to Act 8.
In Act8, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the basket code has been acquired. Then, the CPU 11a determines No when the basket code list does not include one basket code, and proceeds to Act9.
In Act9, the CPU 11a performs a warning operation. The warning operation is an operation for urging the employee 21 to place the shopping cart 41 in accordance with the above-mentioned rule. As an example of the warning operation, the CPU 11a controls the touch panel 11g so as to display a predetermined warning screen. The warning action may be a control for other actions such as pronunciation or vocalization.

In Act10, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the basket code has been acquired. Then, the CPU 11a determines No if the basket code is not acquired, and repeats Act10. Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the basket code to be acquired in Act10. Then, if the CPU 11a determines Yes as in the case of Act 4, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act 11.
In Act11, the CPU 11a adds the acquired basket code to the basket code list. After that, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act12.
If the basket code has already been acquired when the tightening operation is performed and the basket code list includes at least one basket code, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act8 and passes Act9 to Act11. And proceed to Act12.
In Act 12, the CPU 11a generates payment information for payment regarding the registered product described in the registered product table based on the contents of the registered product table at this time. The payment information includes information necessary for determining the payment amount, such as a list of registered products. The payment information may include information that can be used as it is as the payment amount, such as the total amount of purchased products. Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 11a as the central portion functions as a generation means.

In Act 13, the CPU 11a adds the payment information to the waiting list L1. Specifically, the CPU 11a sends an additional request including the payment information generated by Act12 and the basket code list from the communication unit 11j to the POS server 13 to the LAN 14. When the additional request is transmitted to the POS server 13 by the LAN 14, the communication unit 13e of the POS server 13 receives the additional request. Then, in response to this, the CPU 13a associates the payment information included in the additional request with the basket code list and adds it to the waiting list L1 of the auxiliary storage unit 13d. The waiting list L1 is a set of data records including payment information and a basket code list. When the CPU 11a finishes adding the payment information to the waiting list L1 in this way, the CPU 11a returns to Act1. As a result, the CPU 11a prepares for the start of processing related to another transaction. By executing the control process based on the control program in this way, the computer having the CPU 11a as the central part functions as a control means for associating the payment information with the basket code and storing it in the auxiliary storage unit 13d which is an example of the storage device. .. Therefore, the POS server 13 is an example of an information processing device provided with a storage device.

When the employee 21 finishes adding the payment information to the waiting list L1 as described above, the employee 21 moves to the vacant payment device 12 and puts the shopping cart 41 on the table 121 of the payment device 12. The shopper 22 is instructed to settle the payment after placing it.

On the other hand, when the payment device 12 is activated, the CPU 12a starts the control process according to the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the control process of the CPU 12a.

In Act 21, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not a predetermined start operation for instructing the shopper 22 to start the settlement has been performed. Then, if the CPU 12a determines No because the start operation has not been performed, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act22.
In Act22, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the basket code has been acquired. Then, the CPU 11a determines No when it cannot be confirmed that the basket code has been acquired by the determination described later, and returns to Act21. Thus, in Act21 and Act22, the CPU 12a waits for the start operation to be performed or for the basket code to be acquired.

If a start operation such as touching the start button on the touch panel 12g is performed, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act21 and proceeds to Act23. In Act23, the CPU 12a performs a guiding operation. The guidance operation is an operation for urging the shopper 22 to place the shopping cart 41 on the table 121. As an example of the guidance operation, the CPU 12a controls the touch panel 12g so as to display a predetermined guidance screen. The guidance motion may be another motion such as pronunciation or vocalization.
In Act24, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the basket code has been acquired. Then, the CPU 11a determines No when it cannot be confirmed that the basket code has been acquired by the determination described later, and repeats Act24. Thus, the CPU 12a waits for the basket code to be acquired in Act24.

Now, in Act22 or Act24, the CPU 12a instructs the basket scanner 12i to read. The basket scanner 12i attempts to read the barcode according to the instruction from the CPU 12a. If the shopper 22 places the shopping cart 41 on the table 121, the basket scanner 12i can read the barcode. Then, when the basket scanner 12i reads the barcode, it writes the barcode information represented by the barcode into the RAM 12c. Then, when the barcode information is written in the RAM 12c by the basket scanner 12i and the barcode information indicates the basket code, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act22 or Act24, and proceeds to Act25.
In Act 25, the CPU 12a requests the POS server 13 to transfer the payment information. Specifically, the CPU 12a sends a transfer request including the basket code indicated by the bar code information read as described above from the communication unit 12j to the POS server 13 to the LAN 14. When the transfer request is transmitted to the POS server 13 by the LAN 14, the communication unit 13e of the POS server 13 receives the transfer request.
In response to this, the CPU 13a confirms whether or not the basket code list including the basket code included in the transfer request is included in the waiting list L1. Then, if the corresponding basket code list exists, the CPU 13a reads the payment information associated with the basket code list in the waiting list L1 from the auxiliary storage unit 13d. Further, the CPU 13a transmits the read payment information from the communication unit 13e to the LAN 14 to the payment device 12 that has transmitted the transfer request. However, if the basket code list including the basket code included in the transfer request is not included in the waiting list L1, the CPU 13a makes an error from the communication unit 13e to the LAN 14 to the payment device 12 that transmitted the transfer request. Send information. When the payment information is sent, the CPU 13a invalidates the data record including the payment information. The invalidation may be performed by any method such as setting the information such as a flag indicating whether or not the payment has been completed to the state indicating the payment has been completed, or deleting the information from the waiting list L1. When the payment information or error information is transmitted to the payment device 12 via the LAN 14, the communication unit 12j of the payment device 12 receives the payment information or error information and stores it in the RAM 11c or the auxiliary storage unit 11d.

Now, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act 26 after the transfer request is made by Act 25.
In Act26, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the payment information has been received. Then, when the error information is received, it is determined as No, and the process proceeds to Act27.
In Act27, the CPU 12a performs an alarm operation. The alarm operation is an operation for alerting the shopper 22 that the shopping cart 41 placed on the table 121 is inappropriate. As an example of the alarm operation, the CPU 12a controls the touch panel 12g so as to display a predetermined alarm screen. The alarm action may be another action such as pronunciation or vocalization.

In Act 28, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the shopping cart 41 has been removed from the table 121. Then, the CPU 12a repeats Act 28 if the shopping cart 41 is not removed. Thus, in Act 28, the CPU 12a waits for the shopping cart 41 to be removed from the table 121. Then, the CPU 12a determines Yes if the shopping cart 41 is removed, and returns to the standby state of Act21 and Act22. Whether or not the shopping cart 41 has been removed from the table 121 can be determined, for example, by checking whether or not the barcode cannot be read by the basket scanner 12i. Alternatively, a sensor for detecting the shopping cart 41 such as a weight sensor or an optical sensor may be provided, and it may be determined whether or not the shopping cart 41 has been removed from the table 121 based on the output of the sensor.

By the way, the shopper 22 brings a shopping cart 41 containing a product for which purchase registration has been completed, moves to an empty payment device 12, and places the above shopping cart 41 on the table 121 of the payment device 12. In this case, the barcode 41a formed in the shopping cart 41 is read by the basket scanner 12i. Then, the basket code indicated by the barcode information represented by the barcode 41a read in this way is included in the basket code list included in the waiting list L1. Therefore, in response to the transfer request including the basket code, the payment information is transmitted from the POS server 13, and the payment information is received by the communication unit 12j. If the payment information is received, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act 26 and proceeds to Act 29.

In Act29, the CPU 12a causes the touch panel 12g to display the payment screen. The payment screen accepts an operation by the shopper 22 for making a payment based on the received payment information. The payment screen represents, for example, at least the total amount shown in the payment information. The payment screen may also include a total number of items and a list of purchased items. Further, if payment by a plurality of payment methods is allowed, the payment screen includes a button for the shopper 22 to select the payment method.

In Act 30, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the operation by the shopper 22 for settlement has been performed. Then, if the CPU 12a determines No because the corresponding operation has not been performed, the CPU 12a repeats Act 30. Thus, the CPU 12a waits for the operation for settlement to be performed in Act30.

The shopper 22 performs an operation for settlement on the above-mentioned settlement screen. Then, the CPU 12a determines that the operation for payment is performed in this way, and if this is detected by the touch panel 12g, it is determined as Yes by the Act 30, and the process proceeds to the Act 31.
In Act31, the CPU 12a executes a payment process. The settlement process here is a process for settling the transaction shown in the settlement information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d in response to the operation by the shopper 22. For the settlement process here, for example, the process performed by an existing self-POS terminal or the like can be applied as it is. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as the central portion functions as a payment means.
If the amount of money to be used as the settlement amount is indicated in the settlement information, the CPU 12a performs the above settlement process as a process for settlement of the amount. However, if the amount to be used as the settlement amount is not shown in the settlement information, the CPU 12a executes a process of calculating the settlement amount. If the CPU 12a calculates the settlement amount in this way, the settlement device 12 is also referred to as an accounting device.

In Act 32, the CPU 12a controls the printer 12h and issues a receipt showing the information shown in the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d and the result of the above payment processing.
In Act 33, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the shopping cart 41 has been removed from the table 121 in the same manner as in Act 24. Then, the CPU 12a repeats Act 33 if the shopping cart 41 is not removed. Thus, the CPU 12a waits for the shopping cart 41 to be removed from the table 121 in the Act 33. Then, the CPU 12a determines Yes if the shopping cart 41 is removed, and returns to the standby state of Act21 and Act22.

As described above, according to the checkout system 10, the following effects are achieved.
In the product registration device 11, if the purchase registration for one transaction is completed and the payment information is added to the waiting list L1 of the POS server 13, it is promptly separated without waiting for the payment based on the payment information to be completed. It is possible to start the purchase registration for the transaction of. Further, the shopper 22 places the shopping cart 41 containing the product for which the purchase registration has been completed on the table 121 of the vacant payment device 12, so that the payment for the product can be promptly started by the arbitrary payment device 12. Is possible. Therefore, the processing for purchase registration and settlement can be performed efficiently.

Since the employee 21 does not need to select the transfer destination of the payment information, the work load of the employee 21 is smaller than that in the case where the transfer information is required.
Since the shopper 22 can freely select the payment device 12 used for payment, it is more convenient for the shopper 22 than the case where it is determined by the employee 21 or the checkout system 10.

Since the payment device 12 specifies the payment information based on the shopping cart 41, the employee 21 and the shopper 22 are compared with the case where the identification code of the payment information or the recording medium on which the payment information itself is recorded is used for the identification. Highly convenient for.

When a plurality of shopping carts 41 are used to carry a plurality of goods in one transaction, the product registration device 11 associates the combination of the basket codes of the plurality of shopping carts 41 with the payment information. Then, when one basket code is acquired, the payment device 12 executes a payment process based on the payment information associated with the combination of the basket codes including the basket code. That is, the payment device 12 executes the payment process when the basket code of any one of the plurality of shopping carts 41 is acquired. Therefore, the shopper 22 need only place any one on the table 121 without distinguishing the plurality of shopping carts 41.

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
Instead of forming the barcode 41a, the shopping cart 41 may be equipped with a transmitter of an identification code such as an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag. In this case, the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are provided with receivers for receiving the identification code transmitted by the above transmitter, instead of the basket scanners 11i and 12i.

The product registration device 11 may hold a waiting list of payment information generated by the product registration device 11 in the auxiliary storage unit 11d. That is, in this case, the auxiliary storage unit 11d functions as a storage device. Then, in this case, the CPU 12a of the payment device 12 transmits the transfer request in the Act 25 to each of the product registration devices 11. The transfer request may be broadcast to all of the plurality of product registration devices 11, or may be sequentially transmitted to each of the plurality of product registration devices 11.

The product registration device 11 may transmit payment information and a basket code list to all of the plurality of payment devices 12. Then, in this case, each of the payment devices 12 holds the waiting list L1 in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. That is, in this case, the auxiliary storage unit 12d functions as a storage device. When the basket code is acquired, the CPU 12a searches the auxiliary storage unit 12d provided in the same payment device 12, and performs payment processing based on the payment information associated with the basket code list including the acquired basket code. I do. Further, when the payment process is completed, the CPU 12a transmits an invalidation request including the acquired basket code or a basket code list including the basket code to another payment device 12. The CPU 12a of the payment device 12 that has received the invalidation request by the communication unit 12j includes the basket code or the basket code list included in the invalidation request in the waiting list L1 held in the auxiliary storage unit 12d of the same payment device 12. However, invalidate the data record.

The storage device for storing the waiting list L1 may be provided in any information processing device other than the product registration device 11, the payment device 12, and the POS server 13. However, the information processing device is capable of communicating with the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12.

Each function realized by the CPU 11a or the CPU 12a by the control process can also be realized by hardware that executes information processing that is not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, in part or in whole. Further, each of the above-mentioned functions can be realized by combining software control with the above-mentioned hardware such as a logic circuit.

As the carrying equipment, other types of equipment such as trays and carts may be used in place of the shopping cart 41 or in addition to the shopping cart 41. A barcode is formed on these other types of appliances as well as the shopping cart 41.

In the waiting list L1, only the basket code first acquired for one transaction may be associated with the payment information. In this case, if a plurality of products related to one transaction are distributed and put in a plurality of shopping carts 41, the shopping cart 41 first placed in the area 31b at the time of purchase registration of the corresponding transaction is placed in the table 121 of the payment device 12. Employee 21 guides shopper 22 to put it down.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The inventions described in the original claims of the present application are described below.
[Appendix 1] A checkout system that includes a product registration device and a payment device.
The product registration device is
A generation method that generates payment information for payment of purchased products,
A first acquisition means for acquiring an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased product from the product registration device to the payment device, and
A control means for storing the payment information generated by the generation means in a storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the first acquisition means.
Equipped with
The payment device
A second acquisition means for acquiring the identification code of the transport device, and
A payment means for performing a payment process for the payment based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means is provided.
A checkout system that features that.
[Appendix 2] When the first acquisition means acquires a plurality of the identification codes during the period in which the generation means is performing the process for generating the payment information, the control means may obtain the plurality of identification codes. The payment information is stored in the storage device in association with the combination of identification codes.
If the payment information is associated with the combination of the identification codes including the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means and stored in the storage device, the payment means is based on the payment information. Perform the payment process
The checkout system according to Appendix 1, characterized in that.
[Appendix 3] The storage device is provided in the product registration device, the payment device, or an information processing device further included in the checkout system.
The checkout system according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, characterized by the above.
[Appendix 4] A settlement that acquires an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased product and performs a payment process for the settlement of the purchased product based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with this identification code. A product registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with the device.
A generation means for generating the payment information and
A first acquisition means for acquiring an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased product from the product registration device to the payment device, and
A product registration device comprising: a control means for associating the payment information generated by the generation means with the identification code acquired by the first acquisition means and storing the payment information in the storage device.
[Appendix 5] Along with generating payment information for settlement of purchased products, an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased products is acquired, and the payment information is associated with the identification code and stored in a storage device. A payment device that constitutes a checkout system together with a product registration device.
A second acquisition means for acquiring the identification code of the transport device, and
It is characterized by comprising a payment means for performing a payment process for the payment based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means. Payment device.

10 ... Checkout system, 11 ... Product registration device, 11a ... CPU, 11b ... ROM, 11c ... RAM, 11d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 11e ... Drawer opening unit, 11f ... Product scanner, 11g ... Touch panel, 11h ... Printer, 11i ... Basket scanner, 11j ... Communication unit, 11k ... Transmission system, 12 ... Payment device, 12a ... CPU, 12b ... ROM, 12c ... RAM, 12d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 12e ... Automatic change machine, 12f ... Commercial scanner , 12g ... Touch panel, 12h ... Printer, 12i ... Basket scanner, 12j ... Communication unit, 12k ... Transmission system, 13 ... Server, 13a ... CPU, 13b ... ROM, 13c ... RAM, 13d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 13e ... Communication Unit, 13f ... Transmission system.

Claims (4)

A checkout system that includes a product registration device and a payment device.
The product registration device is
A generation method that generates payment information for payment of purchased products,
A first acquisition means for acquiring an identification code of a transport device for transporting the purchased product from the product registration device to the payment device, and
A control means for storing the payment information generated by the generation means in a storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the first acquisition means.
Equipped with
The payment device
A second acquisition means for acquiring the identification code and
A payment means that performs payment processing for the payment based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means.
An alarm means that gives an alarm when the payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means.
A sensor that detects the transport device and
When the payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means, the identification code cannot be acquired by the second acquisition means, or When the sensor cannot detect the carrier, a determination means for determining that the carrier has been removed, and
Equipped with
Checkout system. When the first acquisition means acquires a plurality of the identification codes during the period in which the generation means is performing the process for generating the payment information, the control means is a combination of the plurality of identification codes. The payment information is stored in the storage device in association with
Even if any of the identification codes included in the combination of the plurality of identification codes is acquired by the second acquisition means, the payment means can be used in the combination of the plurality of identification codes including the acquired identification codes. The payment process is performed based on the payment information associated and stored in the storage device.
The checkout system according to claim 1. The storage device is provided in the product registration device, the payment device, or an information processing device further included in the checkout system.
The checkout system according to claim 1 or 2. Together with a product registration device that generates payment information for payment of purchased products, acquires an identification code of a carrier for transporting the purchased products, and stores the payment information in a storage device in association with the identification code. A payment device that constitutes a checkout system
A second acquisition means for acquiring the identification code of the transport device, and
A payment means that performs payment processing for the payment based on the payment information stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means.
An alarm means that gives an alarm when the payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means.
A sensor that detects the transport device and
When the payment information is not stored in the storage device in association with the identification code acquired by the second acquisition means, the identification code cannot be acquired by the second acquisition means, or When the sensor cannot detect the carrier, a determination means for determining that the carrier has been removed, and
Payment device equipped with.